What might delay my recovery from low back pain?

Posted in: Education, Self-Care    Keywords: , , , , ,

Red flags for low back pain are signs and symptoms that your low back pain may be related to a potentially serious medical condition and should be evaluated by a doctor. Yellow Flags for low back pain are things that may delay recovery from non-specific low back pain (the kind 95% of people have), which normally improves within a few weeks. Yellow Flags for low back pain are often grouped into categories, including:

  • Anxiety or depression.
  • Fear avoidance behavior.
  • Mistaken beliefs about low back pain.
  • Work factors.
  • Family or other social factors.

Anxiety or depression

If you find yourself worrying about low back pain, or if the pain brings your mood down, anxiety or depression could interfere with your ability to recover quickly. Anxiety or depression can also decrease your willingness to exercise or continue your normal activities, both of which are important to help your low back pain get better.

Fear avoidance behavior

This term describes the reaction some people develop to low back pain. Because they have been in pain for a long time, nearly everything they do is associated with pain. That can trigger fear of normal activities, leading them to avoid doing things they need to do or enjoy doing. They may eventually try to avoid hobbies, work, or spending time with family and friends thinking this will help prevent aggravating their pain.

Mistaken beliefs about low back pain

It may be difficult for your back to heal and your pain to go away if you believe, for example, that low back pain is a sign of serious damage to your back, or that only rest or other passive treatments are appropriate, or that returning to normal activities will hurt your low back.

Work factors

Issues at work can sometimes interfere with full recovery if your job involves heavy manual labor and modified duty isn’t available temporarily. Some people who don’t enjoy their job are more likely to take time off when they have low back pain than those who like their work. An uncaring supervisor or employer might also delay recovery by blaming you, not acknowledging your low back pain, or being unkind when you’re in pain. This might make it more difficult to cope with your pain.

Family or other social factors

Family or social factors can also complicate recovery if you have an unsupportive partner or friends who blame you for having pain or even doubt whether your symptoms are real. If you are solely responsible for caring for small children or completing household chores, you may not have time for exercise and other activities that can help your pain. If you are in temporary financial difficulties because of your low back pain, you may feel so much pressure to get better that this stress can interfere with your recovery.

Addressing Yellow Flags for low back pain

If you relate to one or more of these Yellow Flags, you can obtain assistance. A short conversation with a health coach or behavioral health specialist could help by teaching you more about low back pain, including coping skills you can use until your low back feels better.

 
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